Nicholls State vs UT Rio Grande Valley Prediction 3/9/2026 Today’s College Basketball Picks

The Nicholls Colonels and UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros meet Monday in the college basketball Southland Tournament at the Townsley Law Arena. Here’s a Nicholls State vs. UT Rio Grande Valley prediction. This article will include a Nicholls State vs. UT Rio Grande Valley pick.

Nicholls Colonels Betting Preview

The Nicholls Colonels beat Northwestern State and lost to McNeese. Nicholls State has won 3 of its last 4 games.

The Nicholls Colonels are averaging 72.9 points on 43.5 percent shooting and allowing 75.5 points on 47.5 percent shooting. Jalik Dunkley is averaging 12.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, while Jaylen Searles is averaging 12.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. Trae English is the third double-digit scorer and Sincere Malone is grabbing 4.4 rebounds. The Nicholls Colonels are shooting 33.7 percent from beyond the arc and 66.2 percent from the free throw line. The Nicholls Colonels are allowing 34.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 27.7 rebounds per game.

UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros: Betting Preview

The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros beat East Texas A&M and Northwestern State. UT Rio Grande Valley has won 10 of its last 12 games.

The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros are averaging 75.5 points on 47.2 percent shooting and allowing 69.1 points on 41.5 percent shooting. Koree Cotton is averaging 13.6 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Filip Brankovic is averaging 12.8 points and 4.3 rebounds. Marvin McGhee III is the third double-digit scorer and Jaylen Washington is grabbing 2.2 rebounds. The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros are shooting 37.2 percent from beyond the arc and 75.6 percent from the free-throw line. The UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros are allowing 30.4 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 31.4 rebounds per game.

Why the Texas-Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros will win

• Texas–Rio Grande Valley has won 12 of its last 14 games against conference opponents.
• Nicholls State has lost the first half in four of its last five night games against conference opponents.

Why the Nicholls State Colonels will win

• Texas–Rio Grande Valley has lost 10 of its last 11 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.
• Nicholls State has won four of its last five games against conference opponents at neutral venues.
• Nicholls State has won the first half in each of its last five games against conference opponents at neutral venues.

Total Points Facts

• Seven of Texas–Rio Grande Valley’s last eight night games against conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Each of Nicholls State’s last four games has produced a total of 140 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Texas–Rio Grande Valley ranks 44th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal percentage this season (41.5%).
• Texas–Rio Grande Valley ranks 45th among Division 1 teams for assists per game this season (16.5).
• Nicholls State ranks 24th among Division 1 teams for opponent turnovers per game this season (14.5).
• Nicholls State ranks 38th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (54.8).

Nicholls State vs UT Rio Grande Valley Prediction

Nicholls State is playing its best ball of the season, which includes wins in 3 of its last 4 games and covers in 7 of its last 10 games. However, Nicholls State has been a below-average team at both ends of the floor overall this season and lost to UTRGV by 20 points at home a month ago. UT Rio Grande Valley has comfortably been the better team this season and is actually solid across the board in terms of production at both ends. UT Rio Grande Valley is capable of winning the Southland and nobody should blink. This is a mismatch despite the recent improvement from Nicholls. I’ll lay out the points.

Randy Chambers's Pick: UTRGV -8.5